MCC: May 2009

Trillium Applebaumus

The latest addition to my garden, the Trillium Applebaumus* courtesy of my friend Jim Applebaum who brought it down from Lake Kawagama where he has a cottage with wife Patricia Davidson, dogs, trees and lots of spring Trilliums. And no, it isn't against the law to transplant this kind of Trillium:

- "While it is a popular belief that it is illegal to pick the common Trillium grandiflorum (white trillium) in Ontario, in reality no such law actually exists. However, the rare Trillium flexipes (drooping trillium) is protected by law in Ontario [1], because of its very small Canadian population.

- Trillium is one of many plants whose seeds are spread by ants and mice. Trillium seeds have a fleshy organ called an elaiosome that attracts ants. The ants take the seeds to their nest, where they eat the elaiosomes and put the seeds in their garbage, where they can be protected until they germinate. They also get the added bonus of growing in a medium made richer by the ant garbage.

source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trillium

So whereas my Trillium is well guarded against dogs and raccoons who are the made marauders of my garden, there is ample room between the stick fencing to let in the mice and ants to help propagate.

*Trillium Applebaumus, also known as Grandiflorum

I Don't Know Either

(This is my entry in the Geist Magazine 'Fortune Cookie Contest')

I Don't Know Either
May 2009

Outside Buddies in Bad Times, waiting for the play to begin, were the usual colourful characters. Dave was back in town after his first year in China and we were walking the dogs - my zany chocolate Poodle and his Siberian/Husky cross which I had been fostering. He was reveling in the Westerness of everything, ogling the boys, delighted to be home.

In the small park beside the theatre, patrons had gathered around a human statue, it's skin and hair painted all white. She/he was dressed in Grecian white robes and leather sandals and was standing stock still on a pedestal with one arm extended out, palm up. Seated in the palm was an all white - albino? - Fortune cookie. Dave and I looked at each other, cocked our heads, and without a word to confirm our thoughts, knew to take the cookie. I lifted it out of the statue's palm and cracked it open. It read: 'I don't know either'. Only a second passed before Dave blurted laughter. I grinned with conspiratorial amusement, and I may have even put my hand on my hip and let my jaw drop in mock astonishment.

Then the staute reached slowly down into the satchel slung over its shoulder and lifted out another cookie, placing it in its palm. Returning to its pose, we noted that one of its eyebrows was raised slightly in our direction, letting us know that we had been properly pleasing. Amused to be in on the prank, we carried on with our walk. A few blocks later, our minds melded again: we had assumed that all cookies contained the same fortune, but now it dawned on us that we may have been wrong. Fortunes may differ. And we laughed again at the artistic curlicues.

12-People (I Dream of) with Striped Bibs and Knee Patches

12-People (I dream of) with Striped Bibs and Knee Patches,
digital media, 9"x9"

Lichen, Moss and Sticks

My 'Dreams' are constructed like Lichen, Moss and Sticks found, natural. The lines have their own way. I am only following.

Buddies

Buddies,
Kokopeli (Husky/Shepherd) + Noa Jivali (Chocolate Poodle),
Back deck, 2008,

Independence Pass, Colorado

This panorama view of Independence Pass, Colorado, is from our trip last year to Vail, on our drive to Aspen, taken from the highest point on the road. We are returning this year for more hiking and plan to give a framed print of the panorama to our host, Ed L. Click on image to see full size and detail.

'Independence Pass Panorama'
Digital Print, 44" x 4.8" 300dpi

My Small Backyard in Spring

My small backyard in spring just as everything gets going. The Rose, Oleander, Lime Green Geranium, Lemon Geranium and Pink Jade wintered in the house. Soon, the Jade will bloom, the Astilbes will take over at the base of the trees and the Hostas will fill in and send up their long white flower stocks. Soon, the hammock. Click on the image for a larger view.

Dream4_2

'Of a Contented Sleep'
digital, 9"x9"

The Notion of Contrasting Clouds

Clouds turn in on themselves.

2-Dreams and Gradients

Negative space has more subtle strength than positive space. BlackLineDreams carve out the positive space to expose the negative, the gradient makes this more evident, more body.

from 'BlackLineDreams2'
digital artwork, 2009

Arboriuslime

This painting, done a few years ago, is owned by my friend Norm M. It was part of a series of treescapes and limegreen titled 'Arboriuslime'. I wrote him a note on the back of the framed piece and wonder if he ever read it.